Winter Photography

Griffon Vultures by Mladen Vasilev

This is a photography tour focusing on two main bird species – the Dalmatian Pelican and the Griffon Vulture.

To take photos of Dalmatian Pelican we visit either the Bourgas wetlands in the South-eastern Bulgaria or Lake Kerkini in northern Greece, depending on the winter conditions and your preferences, and for Griffon Vultures we visit the Eastern Rhodope Mountains in southern Bulgaria, where we manage several fixed hides.

The wetlands around the city of Bourgas form one of Europe’s richest bird areas, with hundreds of Dalmatian Pelicans and thousands of Pygmy Cormorants in winter. As these birds are foraging and resting close to the shore, they are extremely tame and easy to approach. There we can also expect to photograph White-tailed Eagle, Bearded Tit, Black-necked Grebe and many other wintering water birds.

Alternatively, we visit Lake Kerkini in Northern Greece, just across the Bulgarian border. It lies in a wonderful natural area along the Struma river. Except the Dalmatian Pelicans the lake offers good opportunities to take photos of the White Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Greater Flamingo, Greater Spotted Eagle.

Our second target species, the Griffon Vulture, we find in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains – an area of exceptional biodiversity in all seasons. Here we support the local vulture populations by regularly bringing carcass to feeding tables. To take photos of the action of feeding we use the adjacent hides. Apart from the Griffon Vulture we have good opportunities to photograph Black Vulture, Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle and other birds of prey. It sometimes happens a Red Fox or a Wolf to turn up at the feeding table too.

If you wish to join one of our scheduled Winter Photography Tour, please check the availability.